Vegetarian requirements

The nutritional requirement for vitamin Bjg is low. Adult humans require only about 3 micrograms per day, an amount easily acquired with normal eating habits. However, because plants do not synthesize vitamin Bjg, pernicious anemia symptoms are sometimes observed in strict vegetarians. 

I exercise, and following a low-fat vegetarian diet all have been shown to reduce the intensity of the dysmenorrhea.17,28 Dietary changes also may shorten the duration of dysmenorrhea. These interventions require little time and minimal cost and are associated with little risk. Other nonpharmacologic options that may be considered before or, in most cases, after a trial of pharmacologic interventions include the use of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), acupressure, and acupuncture.17... 

Very small amounts of cobalamin are required each day (<5 i.g) and the diet normally provides plenty more than the minimum, so dietary B12 deficiency is uncommon, except in very strict vegetarians. Pernicious anaemia arises when a defect in the stomach results in too little secretion of a protein called intrinsic factor, without which, cobalamin cannot be absorbed in the ileum of the small intestine. 

Vegetarians need to be aware of the amino acids present in their diet, since most animal proteins contain amino acids approximately in proportion to those required by humans but this is not true for all vegetable proteins. This problem is particularly severe for those dependent on a single source of plant protein, for example corn or rice, as is frequently the case in poorer parts of the world. In general, legumes are low in methionine while cereals are low in lysine. Some strains of com now contain lysine, but the best advice to vegetarians is to include as wide a variety of plants as possible in their diet (Chapter 15). 

Intramuscular injection of as little as 3-6 pg of crystalline vitamin B12 is sufficient to bring about a remission of pernicious anemia and 1 pg daily provides a suitable maintenance dose (often administered as hydroxocobalamin injected once every 2 weeks). For a normal person a dietary intake of 2-5 pg / day is adequate. There is rarely any difficulty in meeting this requirement from ordinary diets. Vitamin B12 has the distinction of being synthesized only by bacteria, and plants apparently contain none. Consequently, strict vegetarians sometimes have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. 

Osteoporosis is a disease or metabolic disturbance, particularly in postmenopausal women, that indicates a need for a very high dietary calcium intake. High calcium requirements appear to be related to the very high protein intake of the modem Western diet. A decreased protein intake, as can be obtained on a total vegetarian (vegan) diet, can allow for calcium balance, in a variety of age groups, from one third to one fifth the amount of daily calcium required with a Western diet. 

There is a much room for economy in the use of water in food production. For instance, to produce 10 g of protein in the form of beef requires five times as much water than for 10 g of rice, and for 500 Calories this difference is 20-fold. With a lavish meat diet, the average American requires 5.4L/day, whereas for a vegetarian this amount is halved. 

Oberlin College was founded by British "Christian missionaries" in the decades leading up to the Civil War. Like the ancient anti-Christian Manichean cult, Oberlin was organized around the principle that the material world was wholly evil all students (i.e. initiates) were required to become vegetarians. From Oberlin s student body some of the most violent radical abolitionist terrorists were recruited, trained and deployed and safehoused during the Civil War. (5)... 

Vitamin B12, cobalamin or cyanocobaltamin, C63H88CoN14Oi4P, has the most complicated structure of the B vitamins. It contains one atom of cobalt in its molecule. It is required in minute amounts but without it the manufacture of proteins and red blood cells is affected. A diet which is deficient in liver, eggs, meat, fish or milk can lead to pernicious anaemia. Vegetarians are often advised to take vitamin B12 supplements. 

Without the results from our second study, a definitive conclusicai is not easy. If results of our 1st study are applicable to a range of dietary zinc intakes, a phytate to zinc molar ratio of 10 to 12 is not a hinderance to bioutilization of zinc by humans and the level of intake of zinc becomes a limiting factor in determining adequacy. We know from our analysis of self-chosen diets, and estimation by others, that most people consume diets that are less than 10 in phytate/zinc molar ratio. Vegetarians, particularly those who eat a lot of cereal products, will very likely exceed the value of 10. There is wide variation between individuals and from day to day by each individual. The role of adaptation or response of homestatic control mechanisms require further clarification but it is our feeling at present that humans can consume a wider molar ratio of phytate to zinc than heretofore thought. 

Vitamin B12 is a controlling factor for pernicious anaemia, but since it is difficult to design a diet lacking this vitamin, this condition is very rare. As animal food products are the richest source of vitamin B12, most people that develop deficiency of this vitamin are true vegetarians or infants of vegetarian mothers. Symptoms of Bi2 deficiency have a slow onset, as minute amounts are required and it is efficiently stored, but they include anaemia, a smooth red painful tongue (glossitis)... 

Cervids are vegetarian. They live on a diet of mineral-rich plants and leaves, rather than grass, as the rapid growth of antler requires the extra nutrients. 

The proportions of carbohydrates (4.0-5.0), fats (1.0-2.0) and proteins (0.8-1.5) (each in g/kg BW/day) in patients with chronic liver disease correspond to those of an ordinary diet the basic calorie requirement is 35 kcal/kg BW/day. From the metabolic viewpoint, and in the case of diabetes, daily food intake should be divided into 3 main meals and 2 snacks. As a prophylactic measure, it is advisable to restrict the use of common salt to 7-8 g (because of the very high NaCl content in the usual diet). Moreover, a preponderance of lacto-vegetarian proteins over proteins derived from meat and fish (with their higher production of ammonia) is... 

Requirements and Reference Nutrient Intakes In the United States, the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for zinc is 11 mg/day for men and 8 mg/day for women. Infants and young children need smaller amounts. Increased amounts are required during pregnancy and lactation. Strict vegetarians may need as much as 50% more zinc per day because of the increased phytic acid and fiber in their diet, ... 

New Orleans is famous for its parties, whether it s Mardi Gras, the Jazz Festival, or any number of minor events in between. Good parties require good food, and the city doesn t skimp here either. Unfortunately for the strict vegetarian, meat and especially seafood are an integral part of the culinary scene. You will find some surprises, however. 

The importance and completeness of the enterohepatic circulation are demonstrated by strict vegetarians who consume no vitamin B12. They require 20-30 years or more to develop vitamin B12... 

Administration. Most children and adults do not ingest sufficient dietary calcium and require supplements (see Tables 88-5 and 88-6). Individuals with certain characteristics or conditions—such as lactose intolerance nondairy vegetarian diet malnutrition low-fat diets and glucocorticoid, antiresorptive, or parathyroid therapy—also require evaluation for calcium supplementation. To ensure adequate calcium absorption, 25(OH) vitamin D concentrations should be maintained in the normal range." ... 

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